Thai Students in Taiwan: New Southbound Policy Scholarships and University Placement

What the New Southbound Policy Covers

Taiwan's New Southbound Policy, launched in 2016, builds education, trade and cultural ties with Southeast Asian and South Asian partner countries, Thailand included. On the education side, it funds scholarships and exchange placements at Taiwanese universities aimed specifically at students from partner countries, alongside Taiwan's broader international scholarships that are open worldwide.

For Thai students, the policy's education track adds options beyond Taiwan's standard scholarship system: dedicated funding lines, university partnerships built around partner-country recruitment, and short programs designed as a lower-commitment entry point before a full degree. This makes Taiwan one of the more accessible East Asian study destinations for students who want a funded first exposure to the country before applying for a multi-year program.

Full-Degree Scholarships

Thai students pursuing a full bachelor's, master's or doctoral degree in Taiwan apply through two main government channels: the Taiwan Scholarship Program run by Taiwan's Ministry of Education , and the TaiwanICDF Higher Education Scholarship Program, which lists Thailand among its eligible Asia Pacific countries. Both require a separate university admission alongside the scholarship application, and both publish their own eligible fields, award amounts and deadlines each cycle. Application windows generally open in the final months of one year for enrollment the following autumn, so check the current cycle's exact dates on the Ministry of Education and TaiwanICDF sites directly rather than relying on a past year's schedule.

Short Funded Training Programs

Beyond full-degree scholarships, individual Taiwanese universities run their own short New Southbound Policy programs, aimed at giving Thai students a funded introduction to Taiwan before they commit to a full degree. Programs like Taipei Tech's Southbound Elite Training and National Pingtung University of Science and Technology's New Southbound Policy Elite Study Program are examples of this format. These typically run about one semester, pair a technical, agricultural or vocational major with Chinese-language classes, and cover some combination of tuition, dormitory housing, a travel allowance and a monthly stipend. Coverage and program length differ by university and by cycle, so confirm the exact benefits and eligible year level directly with the host university's international office before you apply.

How to Apply

Full-degree scholarship applications go through the Ministry of Education or TaiwanICDF portal directly, alongside an application to your chosen university. Short training programs are managed by the host university, so apply through that university's international office rather than a single central New Southbound Policy application system. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Thailand, Taiwan's de facto embassy, also runs outreach and can point you to the current year's list of participating universities.

Visa and Arrival Basics

Thai students admitted to a Taiwanese university apply for a student visa through the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Bangkok once they hold an admission letter or scholarship confirmation. After arrival, students staying more than 6 months apply for an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC), which becomes your main ID document in Taiwan for banking, phone contracts and re-entry.

What to Check Before You Apply

• Confirm whether the program funds a full degree or only a short training period

• Check the Chinese-language component, since several New Southbound tracks pair a major with mandatory Mandarin study

• Verify the exact stipend, flight allowance and coverage for your specific program and intake year directly with the university, since amounts differ and change year to year

• Confirm your eligible academic year before applying, since some programs restrict entry by year level

Comparing the Main Tracks

Life in Taiwan for Thai Students

Taiwan's cost of living sits below many Western study destinations, with public transport, food and shared housing generally cheaper than in Singapore, Australia or the UK. Taiwanese universities host active international student associations, and Thailand's established community on campuses across Taipei, Taichung and southern cities like Pingtung gives new arrivals an easier social entry point. Mandarin ability improves your daily experience regardless of whether your program teaches in English, since signage, markets and local services outside major cities lean heavily on Chinese.

Building a Competitive Application

Scholarship committees for both the full-degree and short training tracks weigh academic record, a clear statement of purpose tied to your intended major, and, for language-heavy programs, any existing Mandarin study you have completed. Reach out to your target university's international office before applying to confirm which documents they want translated and whether they interview shortlisted candidates. Build in time for document authentication, since some Taiwanese universities ask for notarized or embassy-certified copies of your transcripts and diplomas rather than plain scans.